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Rhetoric and Writing Studies 1301

Memorandum
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:

Doctor Quezada, Senior Lecturer

Krista Frenz, Student
March 5, 2015
Research Project Proposal and Plan

You asked me to construct a research proposal and plan for the upcoming Inquiry into
Disciplinary Research Project which is due towards the end of the semester. The research
question I have chosen is from my discipline, Theatre. Instead of cutting art programs when
secondary education faces budget cuts, the school should revamp their theatre program to
encompass all academic disciplines.
This question relates to my discipline because when education funding is cut, the arts are the first
to go. If the arts, more specifically theatre arts, funding is cut, the school is really cutting from
every academic discipline. The art of theatre encompasses other academic areas. For example,
when working on a show Math and Science are applied in building sets, Physical Education is
seen in warm-ups and dancing, and Marketing/Economics can be used for public relations to
promote the show and design t-shirts, posters, and programs. That is just the beginning.
English/Public Speaking can be applied through creative writing, design presentations, and
acting. Geography and History are used when analyzing a script and the knowledge is applied to
sets, costumes, and properties. The list goes on. So what I am proposing is that instead of cutting
just the arts programs, the school takes a little bit of funding from every academic discipline.
This way everyone is forced to revamp their methods with the new budget. If this happens,
theatre educators would revamp their curriculum to promote the other disciplines.
Project Plan
The audience I will be addressing is the school boards of school districts. Many parents argue
that athletics are needed because they teach team work. Some argue that education is not
supposed to be fun while others argue that the arts do not make any money for the schools.
Those in theatre would argue that the whole process of a production is collaboration, theatre arts
can make learning and applying other academic disciplines fun, and the arts do not make money
they make confident, persevering students that will make it in life after high school.
I plan on talking to my current theatre professors at the University of Texas at El Paso and my
high school Biology, Spanish, and English teachers who all taught their classes but also directed
the plays and musicals at my high school at one point in time. I would also like to talk to
members of different school boards who have dealt with the issue of cutting funds for the arts.
The research questions I have are:
1. What type of society do we live in?

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2. What do studies say about right versus left brain thinking?

3. What types of environments are physically, emotionally, and socially safe for 9-12 grade
students?
4. Why does Article 44 of the United States Constitution exist?
5. What are the goals in the field of moral education?
To answer my research questions I plan on conducting interview with my professors at the
University of Texas at El Paso. For the teachers at my high school I will be sending them
questionnaires via their school emails. I will need to access a copy of the United States
Constitution in order to evaluate Article 44. Psychology Journals and The American
Psychological Association will provide me with information concerning my interest in right
versus left brain thinking. Sociology Journals and recent Sociology books will provide
information regarding my questions on our society and environments. All these resources will
provide me with the information I require because they are from professionals and are credible
either by peer review or experience.